Friday, March 21, 2014, Juneau, Alaska – House Speaker Mike Chenault and Rep. Mike Hawker, key sponsors of legislation last year creating the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, expressed their support of an out-of-state appointment to the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and sent a letter to Gov. Sean Parnell supporting the appointment.

“It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of the tasks AGDC was charged with – developing natural gas projects in the best interests of Alaskans,” Hawker, R-Anchorage, said. “We want the absolute best and most qualified professionals leading this independent, public corporation of the state, and Mr. Dick Rabinow’s resume is as outstanding as it gets.”

“When we’re dealing with the oil companies and their legions of expertise, I absolutely want the most experienced and most knowledgeable people possible representing Alaskans and leading AGDC,” Chenault, R-Nikiski, said. “Mr. Rabinow certainly has the qualifications I want on a corporation board that oversees that critical job. As an Alaskan, I am grateful that someone with his resume is willing to serve on the board of this public corporation advancing Alaskans’ interests.”

The Senate Minority Democratic Caucus in a press release today condemned the appointment of Mr. Rabinow based on his Texas residency. They seem to be disregarding the legislative record of House Bill 4 that created AGDC, in which out-of-state corporation board members were clearly contemplated, the sponsors said.

“These senators may be willing to sacrifice expertise in getting gas to Alaskans for pure politics, but I’m not,” Chenault said. “I’d suggest they review Mr. Rabinow’s remarkable resume and explain why he is not qualified to be an AGDC board member and assist in guiding Alaska’s natural gas development.”

During legislative deliberations last session on House Bill 4, which created AGDC, the bill sponsors made it clear that not all corporation board members had to be Alaskans – and that they trusted the Governor in his authority to make appointments in the best interests of the state. The Governor did so, balancing the board with tried and true Alaskans and pipeline industry veterans, including Mr. Rabinow.

Multiple legal reviews of House Bill 4 last year failed to identify the possible issue with a nonresident being appointed to the AGDC board, despite the clearly stated intent. Hawker and Chenault will advocate for an amendment this session to AGDC’s statutory authority clarifying the original intent of HB 4 to allow the Governor the widest possible field of expertise to choose from when making AGDC board appointments, much like the Alaska Aerospace Corporation provision.